PPS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ATHLETIC REQUIREMENTS (ELIGIBILITY)

Must maintain a 2.0 grade point average each semester (school board policy IGDB).

Must be taking three (3) subjects for credit at all times.

Must complete an Athletic Participation/Parent Consent/Physical Exam before participating each school year.

May not be 19 before August 1 of a given school year.

May not participate if he/she transfers to another school without a change in residence.

A student may only participate for eight (8) semester during their time in high school.

A student must be regularly enrolled in the school where they participate.

In order to participate in practice or a game a student must be in attendance in school that day.

Students may not use steroids of any type.

If school is postponed due to inclement weather, there will not be practice or games.

There will be a parent meeting before each season.

ACADEMICS AND ATHLETICS

Academics play a major role in the Portsmouth School division’s
athletic program. All coaches monitor their student
athletes throughout
the school year. Students wanting tom participate in college athletics
are encouraged to take
core courses that will count toward NCAA
academic eligibility. The NCAA now has a central eligibility center
that
will certify eligibility for Division I and Division II colleges.
It is very important that if your child might want to play
Division I or
II athletics that you read the information from the NCAA
(nacc.org/eligibilitycenter/common).
Athletes CANNOT wait until their
senior year and make this decision. It must be made early so that all
NCAA
requirements are met.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The athletic program will contribute to the physical fitness and
development of athletic skills of participants through teaching and
presenting a sound program of conditioning and practice.

The athletic program will teach the values of sportsmanship through
the Virginia High School League Sportsmanship Code in order that
participants may learn to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

The athletic program will teach self-discipline to participants by
requiring them to adhere to a lifestyle that will contribute to a
positive way to team effectiveness.

The athletic program will teach the compatibility of self-reliance
and cooperation athletes and showing that success of the program depends
on team effort.

The athletic program will unify the school by providing common
goals, involving all students, and creating a common purpose; thereby
generating school sprit and building alumni loyalty.

The athletic program will provide a wholesome environment for
athletic participation and will provide carry-over value through
teaching positive attitudes and the recreational value of participation.

The athletic program will provide opportunities to achieve
educational and personal goals for student/athletes through counseling
participants to establish goals consistent with their interest,
abilities and needs.

VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE

The Virginia High School League (VHSL) is the governing body for
Virginia interscholastic athletics and activities. All rules and
regulations governing high school athletes and athletics are legislated
by this organization. A complete text of these regulations is available
from the schools activities director or www.vhsl.org. Coaches are to review the VHSL handbook each year and review the rules with each team.

Woodrow Wilson and Churchland high schools are members of Class 4 Region A and Class 4 of the
VHSL for the purposes of athletic/activities competition. I. C. Norcom is a member of Class 3 Region A and Class 3 of the VHSL for the purposes of athletic/activities competition.

The regional council manages the business if the region, including
scheduling of regional championships, as well as special regulations,
guidelines, and distribution of funds. Appeals or recommendations to
the council should be directed to the district representatives through
the school activities director or principal.

The Eastern District Council is a further extension of the VHSL
office and the Region Councils. The membership is comprised of
the eight (8) principals of the AAA public high schools in the district
(Norfolk and Portsmouth). The determination of district policy in
athletics/activities is the responsibility of this council, as well as
administration of all athletic/activities schedules. A handbook with
complete and up-to-date district policies is available for review from
each school’s activities director.

The Portsmouth Public School Board has the authority to set
athletic/activities policies as long as they are not in conflict with State, Region and Eastern District regulations.